LIVING A LIFE OF A SALTED FISH

10: Feeling awkward with the villainess.

Ruhee just kissed me, and that's my first. 

Even in my last life, I never experienced this kind of thing. At this moment, the only thing I could hear was my heart thumping so loud, and I felt dazed. All my head could think about is how her lips felt crashing to mine; it's as soft as a marshmallow. 

Her long thick lashes were closed as she lightly bit my lower lip. I gasped; slightly opening the rim of my mouth. Ruhee took that chance to slide her tongue in, invading inside and clashing with mine. She tilted my head guiding me as she led the kiss. She tasted a bit bitter and sweet like strawberry.

I breathe in and all I could smell is her scent of rose. They invaded all my senses as blood climbed to my head. I am beyond shock, and all I could hear is my heart racing to my ears. 

Her eyes opened, gazing at me as she pulled away as gently as possible. "Is this your first time being kissed?" Ruhee asked in a whisper.

Her hot breath made me bat my lashes, and I blinked several times, not knowing what to say. I'm still speechless with what just happened. I gulped as I found my tongue tied in tangles; unable to come up with any witty remarks or any words at all.

"Hey lovers!"

Vin came out of his office room, getting Ruhee's attention as she turned her head to him. This gave me time to pull myself together, and I scooted away from Ruhee's grasp as I stood up, meeting Vin with a calm smile. 

The man, who resembled Ruhee a lot, started speaking as his mouth moved. At the current moment, I couldn't understand a thing of what he just said. I could only smile as I blinked my eyes in confusion. 

I couldn't focus at all, especially feeling Ruhee's presence beside me. I held my breath as I suddenly became so conscious of her existence. In my peripheral vision, I could feel her red passionate eyes staring at me with intensity. She grabbed my hand, squeezing it, and I couldn't help myself but glanced at her.

When I turned to take a short glimpse, her ruby eyes were no longer staring at me. She is currently talking to Vin, but I couldn't concentrate on their conversation as I felt Ruhee's warm hand clasped to my fingers. My eyes gazed at her lips; they opened and closed; speaking words that I couldn't come to understand. 

My mind is constantly replaying that scene earlier in my head like a broken film. I absentmindedly swift my tongue to my lips, recalling that kiss one more time.

Before I knew it, Ruhee pulled me out of the boutique shop; still holding my hand. Some tall men were following behind us, carrying the dresses that Vin made for us. Walking on the streets, I found Ruhee glaring at anyone who would block our path as we went back.

When we got into the carriage, Ruhee immediately let go of my hand, ignoring my whole existence. She only gazed outside the window. Meanwhile, I remained silent all the way back to the mansion.

Ruhee and I never spoke to each other again after that. She didn't come to my room to play or chat before the masquerade ball. As soon as we went back, Ruhee and I went our separate ways.

I didn't bother pestering her about that kiss earlier, because I also don't want to think about it. Although I didn't want to discuss that topic, my mind can't help but wander to that moment once more. 

As I went to take a bath, eat my dinner, and went back to my room; all my head could think about was why in the hell did Ruhee decide to kiss me?

The next thing I knew, I found myself lying on the bed as I gazed at the painting of hell on the ceiling, asking myself questions I have no answer about. My eyes are wide open as I couldn't find it within myself to sleep. I still couldn't believe what just happened until now. 

"What the heck was that…" I mumbled in disbelief, staring at the ceiling in a trance. 

Seriously, why the hell did Ruhee kiss me? This is not part of the plan, and this isn't within my expectations. In addition, Isn't this like going the other way around?

Does Ruhee think that this would make Cleopatra give up on me? However, if that did happen, then what about her? Wouldn't people think that we are really a couple?

My brows furrowed as I frowned, closing my eyes as I decided to just erase the memories of today from my mind. Yet, the moment I closed my eyes, I found myself picturing that kissing scene in my head yet again. 

I turned to the side, groaning as I covered my whole face with a pillow.

"Can't sleep?"

As soon as I heard that familiar voice, I immediately opened my eyes, taking a peek as I kept half of my face covered with a pillow. On the side of the bed, my eyes took a sight upon Ruhee, standing dignified and full of pride in her red silk dress; her usual and normal sleeping clothes. Her red bloody eyes gazed down at me with her chin slightly raised and arms crossed together, displaying a line in the middle of her chest. 

Seeing her alarming appearance, I internally wanted to run away and avoid Ruhee. However, I couldn't do that. She is still the host and the one financing my lazy cosy life; the key to my dream of living a life of a salted fish.

At that, I resisted the urge to escape from the woman. I sat up slowly as I plastered a cordial smile, acting like nothing strange happened between us.

"Yes, host?" I said in a calm tone. "What can I do for you?"

Ruhee didn't respond at first as she stared at me, observing my facial reactions. I tilted my head to the side in return, pretending that my heart is not beating fast in my chest. This made Ruhee pursed her lips for some reason. Seeing her lips made me recall those memories again, I swallowed as I averted my eyes, staring at the white blanket, covering half of my body. 

"About that kiss earlier…" Ruhee started in a solemn voice, making me voluntarily glanced at her. 

She had her head raised even more this time, looking down at me. I remained smiling innocently, acting like a fool.

Ruhee smirked at me. "I only kiss you, because I want rumours about us to start spreading around. In this way, you won't get your chance to marry Cleopatra as well," She said as the lids of her eyes narrowed. "That's the only reason why I did that, don't get the wrong idea."

In all honesty, this is all good news. This is in line with my mission and vision, but something within me felt a sense of loss. Regardless, this is still a good thing.

Despite feeling awkward to talk about that kiss, I decided to went along with Ruhee and just discuss it like mature adults do. "I see," I replied with a relieved smile. "If that's the case then that's alright then."

Ruhee squinted her eyes as her brows knitted together, looking upset for some reason. Her lips opened and closed wanting to say something, but she pressed them together again tightly. 

"Mm," she hummed as her bloody eyes gazed at me with anger. "Good to know," she said.

After that, Ruhee turned around and left the room with a banging slam in the ear. I let out a sigh as I lied down again, finding it even more difficult to fall into slumber.